Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, my friend Paul in Quebec City will be happy to know that the year one budget has brought the debate on Quebec independence to the Parliament of Canada, and that even the Leader of the Opposition is talking about it. In the meantime, the Prime Minister has put himsel

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, did the President of the United States talk to the Prime Minister about the need for at least a consensus within his own party so that Canada and Quebec can speak with a coherent voice internationally? Speaking of consensus, the Prime Minister told me last week that

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, in the terrible conflict that is tearing apart the Gaza Strip, civilians are losing their lives or living in unspeakable distress. Humanitarian aid needs to get to the civilians on the Gaza Strip and aid has to get there unconditionally, no matter where it comes from

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we were one of the first nations, but our nation has too little weight on the international stage to be the only voice. We need friends and we need credibility. Since we have heard nothing about that, am I to understand that the Prime Minister of Canada, over the pa

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we agree that this is very much a humanitarian situation. The international community must take humanitarian action, but it must do other things too. The Prime Minister's answer was long, but what he meant was that, no, he will not be part of the group, which has a l

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of co-operation, I asked the Deputy Prime Minister a few questions yesterday. Perhaps this came as a surprise to her, because the answers we received left much to be desired and were rather vague. I would like to put them directly to the Prime Minister

Situation in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank  Mr. Speaker, first of all, on behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I would like to extend our condolences to all Quebeckers and Canadians who have lost loved ones in the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. I would also like to extend our condolences to all Israelis who are going through

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, if Canada were a part of the group of five countries formed by the United States to address the conflict between Israel and Gaza, then Canada would be helping to make decisions and would have first-hand information. Let us see. Can the government and the Deputy Prim

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to congratulate you. The United States joined forces with four other western powers—Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and France—to speak as a single strong voice in response to the crisis centred in Gaza that has rocked the whole world. Canada w

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the U.S. Department of State obviously does not see it that way because it simply did not invite Canada. That is deplorable because it prevents the government from doing its job for its own communities and citizens properly. To ensure that everyone her

Hubert Reeves  Mr. Speaker, if we listen closely, we will hear the footsteps of a titan climbing his way to the stars. That would be Hubert Reeves, who left us on Friday at the age of 91. An astrophysicist and an outstanding communicator, Hubert Reeves left his mark on Quebeckers as a teacher,

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the leader of the official opposition used the word “clown” a few minutes ago. That is interesting. Why would he not eliminate oil profits and subsidies? That is a matter for another time. We still have at least a year. In the meantime, we have to get back to what h

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, the government is going to move forward without taking the necessary action. Meanwhile, because it took five days before the government even thought about doing something, Russia, India and China, none of which are friends to the government or to Canada in general, b

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, everyone must do more at all times to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the temptation to shift this responsibility to individuals is potentially rather regrettable because it removes some of the responsibility from those who are the biggest emitters. I would r

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I find that very interesting. In 1999, I went to Vancouver for four days. This means that I know as much about British Columbia as the Conservative leader knows about Quebec. I do not claim to know British Columbia. I say that with no malice whatsoever. I do not s